For Pecan Grove Farms, a growing agribusiness in the pecan industry, finding the right financial partner was not just about securing capital – it was about ensuring the long-term success of their operation. That partner turned out to be FarmOp Capital, a company uniquely positioned to support the challenges of specialty crop growers with their made-to-fit financial solutions. Learn more from the CEO of Pecan Grove Farms, Jose (Pepe) Guevara.
At Pecan Grove Farms, we have big goals. Our vision is to establish the most recognizable supplier in the pecan industry. Despite the native history of pecans in North America, today's pecan industry lacks that established, predictable supplier. We want to fill that gap by applying modern management techniques and sustainability practices to this legacy crop.
At the core of our brand philosophy is a three-pronged approach: every person matters, every tree matters and every pecan matters. This mindset informs our decision-making at every level, from sustainable farming practices to company culture.
Every person matters: Pecan Grove Farms treats every employee, investor and consumer as part of their extended family. This includes future generations who will inherit the land we cultivate today.
Every tree matters: Pecan Grove Farms is committed to stewarding the land, revitalizing abandoned orchards and developing new sites into thriving, productive farms.
Every pecan matters: Attention to detail is critical, from reducing waste to maximizing efficiency, ensuring that no resource is squandered.
With these guiding principles, Pecan Grove Farms has rapidly expanded, boasting over 140 employees, close to 10,000 acres and an impressive 30% annual growth rate. Despite being only 12 years old, we’ve become the largest pecan grower in Texas and a top ten grower globally.
A good partner means more opportunities
The extended cash cycle of pecans presents a unique challenge for producers like us. Unlike corn or soybeans, which have shorter cycles, pecans require significant time and money before yielding a return.
With traditional financing, we would have to sell our crop to an accumulator or sheller immediately to recoup our money, missing out on the opportunity to add value through processing. This flexibility is crucial in an industry where value-added products generate higher returns than raw pecans.
The 18-to-24-month financial cycle means farmers must continually invest in the next season's crop before receiving payment for the previous one. This creates a financial strain that traditional agricultural lenders struggle to accommodate. FarmOp Capital recognized this challenge and developed flexible credit options specifically for pecan growers like us.
The involvement of FarmOp Capital helps position us for that next stage of our growth. We want to be the go-to name in the pecan space.
FarmOp’s ability to recognize our potential before others has been instrumental. The support from FarmOp has given us the runway to scale operations, refine our products and solidify our market position. They’re also our coal mine canary. Because we trust that they know our industry and our business, we can trust their advice – whether it’s the go-ahead for an opportunity or hesitancy over a new idea.
A bright future ahead
Looking ahead, we see continued opportunity. While our current focus remains on B2B sales, our long-term vision includes the possibility of recognizable consumer products that highlight our origins and sustainable farming practices. With FarmOp Capital as a trusted partner in our operation, we know we have a partner that shares our drive for success.
Wondering if a partnership with FarmOp Capital is right for you? Find out more.